# Michael X. Garrett

Michael Xavier Garrett (born 1961) was a General in the United States Army who served as commanding general of United States Army Forces Command from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, chief of staff of United States Central Command and commanding general of United States Army Alaska.
The son of Edward Garrett, a retired Army command sergeant major, Garrett is from Cleveland, Ohio and attended High School in Germany. He was commissioned in 1984 into the Infantry upon his graduation from Xavier University. Garrett was nominated for promotion to general to become the commanding general of United States Army Forces Command in January 2019. He was confirmed by the Senate for the position in February and assumed command in March. Garrett retired from the Army in September 2022.
President Joe Biden appointed Garrett as commissioner for the American Battle Monuments Commission in July 2023, and he was elected to serve as chairman on 1 August 2023.

## Assignments

Garrett was the commanding general of United States Army Forces Command, located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, located at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
Garrett's assignments include chief of staff of United States Central Command, commanding general of United States Army Alaska, deputy commander of United States Alaskan Command and multiple joint and operational tours, staff assignments at numerous levels as well as several commands. Highlights include commanding 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan as chief of current operations, Combined Task Force 180 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then commanded 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (Light), which deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following brigade command, Garrett served as the deputy commanding general of United States Army Recruiting Command. Following his tour with Recruiting Command, Garrett returned to Fort Bragg where he served as the Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps. As the XVIII Airborne Corps chief of staff, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, where he served as the deputy chief of staff for United States Forces-Iraq.

## Education

Garrett's military education includes completion of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and a prestigious Senior Service College Fellowship. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Xavier University.

## Awards and decorations

* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Ranger tab
* Pathfinder Badge
* Basic Army Recruiter Badge
* British Parachutist Badge
* 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge
* 75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
* 5 Overseas Service Bars
* Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
* Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
* Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters
* Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters
* Defense Meritorious Service Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
* Joint Service Commendation Medal
* Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
* Joint Service Achievement Medal
* Army Achievement Medal
* Joint Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
* Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
* National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
* Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars
* Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Korea Defense Service Medal
* Humanitarian Service Medal
* Army Service Ribbon
* Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 6